Jindal Poly Films Limited near Mundegaon in Nashik’s Igatpuri taluka has been served a closure notice by the Industrial Safety Department after a massive fire raged for 56 hours, razing eight out of sixteen projects and halting nearly 90 per cent of the plant’s production.
Though the flames are now under control, the cause remains under investigation. A multi-agency probe has been launched involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Public Works Department (PWD), the Industrial Safety Department and the Pollution Control Board. The findings will be submitted to the Nashik District Collector. The fire is the third major incident at the plant, with previous fires in 2013 and 2023. Despite regular inspections and fire audits, the company reportedly failed to comply with safety directives. Authorities allege that negligence by Jindal Polyfilms’ management contributed to the recurrence of such disasters.
“Our department had conducted regular inspections and repeatedly flagged issues. Instructions were ignored, and legal proceedings from the 2023 fire incident are still ongoing,” said Anjali Ahir, Joint Director of the Industrial Safety Department. The recent fire raised fears of a larger disaster as a highly flammable propane tank was located just 30 to 60 metres from the flames. Fortunately, it was saved, preventing a potential explosion that could have impacted areas up to 15 kilometres away. Local residents and officials have pointed to delayed response times and inadequate fire preparedness by the company. The current closure notice indicates a serious move by authorities to enforce accountability and ensure public safety.
Investigations are expected to begin within two days, with the full report likely to influence future industrial safety protocols in the region.
